Question

A person walked diagonally across a square plot. Approximately, what was the percent saved by not walking along the edges?

• A. $20\%$
• B. $30\%$
• C. $35\%$
• D. $40\%$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$30\%$

Consider a square plot as shown above and let the length of each side $=1$
Then length of the diagonal $=$ $\sqrt{1^2+1^2}=\sqrt{2}$
Distance travelled if walked along the edges $=BC+CD=1+1=2$
Distance travelled if walked diagonally $=BD=$ $\sqrt{2}=1.41$
Distance Saved $=2-1.41=0.59$
Percent distance saved $=0.592\times 100=0.59\times 50$ $\approx$ $30\%$.